Adventurous Cat Hikes Mountains With Owner: 'So Many Experiences'

A common argument in the ongoing debate between self-confessed "cat people" and "dog people" in favor of dogs, is that most breeds are the perfect hiking companion, whereas cats prefer to explore solo.

However, Juliet Turner, a 25-year-old PhD student at the University of Oxford, has been single-handedly proving this theory wrong by posting videos to her Instagram account, @adventuresofcasperthecat, of her adventures hiking in the Welsh mountains with her cat Casper.

"I like how much attention he pays to the details of the world when we're hiking," Turner told Newsweek, "He looks at things so closely, wants to smell and understand everything. Sometimes you can get into the habit of just walking on autopilot and not really registering your surroundings, but Casper is so full of curiosity and wonder that he makes me slow down and notice everything more, from autumn leaves to crickets in the grass, and all the birds in the trees. Knowing how young he is and how he was mostly a house cat before, it's really wonderful to watch him have so many experiences that are new to him."

If you have an indoor cat who gets a taste for the leash, be prepared for them to react if they're not taken out often enough, Four Paws International, a global animal welfare organization, advises on its website.

"If you fail to satisfy this demand, you should expect some unwelcome consequences, such as scratch marks on the furniture or urine puddles around the home," it says.

Turner explained that she adopted Casper, who she was told is a Maine Coon, from a family that were looking to rehome him as they were moving. The two have since become firm hiking partners.

"We loved our recent visit to North Wales. There's a beautiful place called Cors Bodgynydd where he seemed especially happy and we spent a few hours exploring the habitat," Turner said. "I'm learning more about what he enjoys and what he finds stressful. For example, he seems more comfortable in places like heathland or woodland where there's lots of shelter and I guess it feels a bit more enclosed and safe.

"Unlike a dog, he doesn't usually want to be in an empty open space like a field. He also loves craggy places where he can jump around on the rocks, and recently he found a cave that he insisted on exploring so I had to crawl in there with him! Since the trip to Wales was his biggest adventure yet and it went so well, we're excitedly thinking about where we might go next."

Turner keeps Casper on a leash while they're hiking, although introducing your cat to a harness and leash can be a challenge.

"He was already quite used to it," Turner said. "When we adopted him we began by getting him to wear his new harness in the house to make sure he was comfortable with the feeling. We gave him treats each time he was wearing it so he had the positive association. Now, we have a particular type of treat that he really likes and he only gets this when wearing the harness. He wears it with an extendable lead so he has lots of freedom of movement."

She added that the harness is nothing fancy and only cost her $1.

One concern for cat owners walking through public areas is dogs off the leash.

"I stay very vigilant when I'm out with Casper, and I'm always checking to see if any dogs have appeared," Turner explained. "If there are dogs in the park then we go to the other side to keep away from them. We've had a few close encounters where off-lead dogs excitedly ran up to us and Casper growled at them and I had to pick him up and carry him away."

If you have been inspired by Turner and Casper's adventures and want to take your own cat hiking, she recommends starting slow, and getting your cat used to wearing the harness in the house.

"Try reserving a particular type of treat for only when they are in their harness," she suggested. "Also people should know what to expect when walking with a cat. Don't expect it to be the same as walking a dog. They are different animals with different instincts and preferences.

"I would also strongly recommend an extendable lead rather than a fixed-length short one. A cat will be much more likely to panic if they feel like they are being restricted or controlled. With an extendable lead they can go almost anywhere they want. I try to make sure he never feels like he's pulling against it."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.